Famous Composers - Diseases Reloaded

The life and creative work of famous musicians are closely linked to their personal medical histories. This book explores the medical histories of famous composers, including Paganini, Scarlatti, Bach, Schumann, Ravel, Tárrega, and Villa-Lobos, using authentic biographical testimonies and the latest research findings on the pathophysiology of these composers. It is an exciting and well-tempered reading experience for physicians, music lovers, musicologists, and musicians, as well as for all readers who want to develop a basic understanding of the pathophysiology and life scores of these great masters.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 175 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

The intricate connection between the lives, deaths, and creative works of renowned musicians is intricately intertwined with their personal medical histories. In Famous Composers – Diseases Reloaded, these case histories are vividly reconstructed based on authentic biographical testimonies, closely intertwined with the personalities of the musicians themselves. The latest research findings on the pathophysiology of these composers will be woven into the overarching narrative.

Was Paganini's devilishness a result of a hereditary disease? Did Scarlatti exhibit peculiar symptoms on his fingers? What caused the death of Bach? How did Christel, from a questionable background, profoundly impact Schumann's life? What exacerbated Ravel's underlying illness, leading to his inability to complete a single composition in the last five years before his passing? How did Tárrega regain the ability to play the guitar after suffering a stroke with hemiplegia? Did Villa-Lobos's worldwide reputation contribute to his longevity through access to the best available treatment?

Physician and musician Andreas Otte has integrated the latest medical history research into the composers' pathographies. This book offers an exciting and balanced reading experience for physicians, music enthusiasts, musicologists, and musicians, as well as for all readers seeking to gain a fundamental understanding of the pathophysiology and life scores of these great masters in the context of modern conditions.

Weight: 377g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031066733
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022